Chapter 2

Nash

Nash curled the dumbbells towards his chest and Caiden did the same next to him. They sat on the black bench of the Elites building, sweating from their hour long workout. From where he sat, Nash took in how large the room was and how it was filled with dozens of workout equipment, such as treadmills, ellipticals, weights and more. The gym was located in basement and he always looked forward to his workouts where he and Caiden could forget about the rankings and titles and just focus on themselves.

"Holy shit," Caiden said. "Summer has gotten me out of shape."

"Sure looks like it," Nash said.

Caiden shot Nash a look and Nash grinned. He continued to curl the dumbbells towards his chest, taking pleasure in the pain.

And as they continued to work out, his eyes drifted to where the treadmills were. On one of them was one girl. One blonde, tiny girl with bright green eyes. She ran next to Sophia whose black hair was thrown into a pony tail. Sophia was in the midst of telling her a story, which Nash could tell by the way Sophia gestured with her hands wildly to reenact a scene.

"Are you checking out Chloe again?" Caiden asked.

Nash nearly dropped the dumbbell at Caiden's accusation. He glared at Caiden, who simply grinned sheepishly in return.

"No. Why would I be checking out Chloe?" Nash muttered. "I just can't believe she's the first Elite again. How could I lose to her!"

"She's brilliant, talented and well, perfect," Caiden said. "It's believable."

Huffing, Nash dropped the dumbbells onto the ground and crossed his arms over his chest. He lifted his head up defiantly. There was no way Nash would admit that Chloe deserved to be first.

"I don't get how everything comes so easily to her. She must be cheating or something," Nash said. "I work so hard. I deserve more! This doesn't make sense."

"Why can't you just be happy that you're the second Elite," Caiden sighed. He dropped his own weights, looking tired not just from the workout, but from Nash's constant rants about Chloe. "You're second out of hundreds of students. Be proud of your achievement."

"It's not enough."

Caiden frowned and he plopped down on the bench next to Nash. Nash glanced at Chloe once again, unable to help it. And when Nash forced his eyes back to Caiden, he grew surprised to see him watching Sophia.

"Sorry," Caiden said, pulling his eyes away when Nash cleared his throat. "What were you saying again?"

"I was saying that being second isn't good enough for me," Nash said. "Being an Elite makes me feel like I'm something. I thrive off succeeding and I'm proud of what I've achieved, but it's not enough. I want- No, I need to be first. Just once, I need to beat Chloe."

"I mean, I get it. We're Elites. We're competitive keeners." Caiden ran his fingers through his caramel coloured hair. He stretched out his long body, looking exhausted. "You know, I still can't believe I'm an Elite. Even if I'm only the last one, I'm glad I made it. Even if I barely did."

Nash patted Caiden's back, knowing how hard he worked. Things didn't come easy to Caiden - not like it did to the other Elites. But through hard work and determination, Caiden always ended up as an Elite.

"I'm grateful I'm an Elite, too," Nash said. "It's crazy. We're treated like kings and queens for being well rounded and earning top scores in our studies, athleticism, and other talents. I mean, we deserve it. But it's crazy to think about."

"It is crazy. That's exactly why I work my ass off to become an Elite every year."

Nash smiled and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair. He eyes drifted to Chloe again as they always did for some crazy reason, and she hopped off the treadmill. She was wearing black leggings and a form fitting pink tank top. She held out a hand towards Sophia, who grabbed her hand. They were laughing as their legs wobbled and Nash's eyes remained glued to Chloe.

As if sensing that Nash was staring at her, Chloe looked towards him and immediately waved. Nash's eyes darted away and he tried to act as if he never saw her. His face heated up and he cursed himself for watching her, and Caiden chuckled. Caiden waved towards them and Nash shot him a look and he only laughed louder.

"I can't wait to beat Chloe," Nash said, trying to change the subject. "Just once, even if it's in one my challenges, I can't wait for Chloe to lose."

"Good luck, dude," Caiden said. "You're going to need it."

Nash scowled at Caiden who laughed once again. His laugh was the type of laugh that bubbled out and was so genuine Nash found it hard to stay mad at him.

"Sorry, but it's been a year and you've never been close to beating Chloe. She's just too good. I just can't believe Chloe doesn't hate you by now."

Nash shot Caiden a look and he grinned back. Shaking his head, Nash got up and realized it was time to go home. And with that thought, dread filled him.

*****

Nash opened the door to his mansion. His home was five stories tall, filled with dozens of rooms that were unoccupied because it was just Nash, his mom and dad. But mostly Nash because his parents were either busy with work or partying on yachts away from him.

Nash walked to the kitchen where their maid, Naya, stood wiping down the counters. She came over everyday to clean whatever mess he made and he walked towards her in their huge kitchen that had marble counters and cabinets, and a chandelier hanging in the centre of it. It was a huge room, but it always felt useless to Nash because no one other than him or Naya ever entered it. What was the point with all this grandness when no one could use it?

"Hey, Naya," Nash said, walking to where they stored their fruits in a centrepiece. Nash grabbed an apple and took a bite out of it. "How've you been?"

"Lovely," Naya said. "And how have you been, sir?"

"Please don't call me sir. It makes me skin crawl."

"As you wish, gentleman."

Nash took another bite out of the apple. He'd known Naya since the fifth grade and they were close, but yet their relationship felt unnatural. Because at the end of the day, she worked for his parents – they were her employer. So despite how friendly Naya was, Nash often hid in his room, feeling like something was wrong. Because how could the only other person in this house be the person they paid to clean there?

"You got the results for the Elites this week, right?" Naya asked.

"Yeah, two days ago."

"And? What were the results?"

"I'm the second Elite again."

Naya squealed and she began to jump up and down while clapping her hands. Her black hair fell out of her bun and Nash stared at her, thinking about how she was two decades older than him at thirty-nine, but yet she still had a childlike energy.

"That's wonderful," Naya said. "I'm so proud of you! You deserve it. I know how hard you work!"

"Thanks."

Naya stepped forward and she pulled Nash into a hug. He froze at the sudden touch, not used to it because his parents hadn't been affectionate and he didn't know any of his other family members since they'd cut contact with his family years ago. So awkwardly, Nash stood there as Naya squeezed him. He prayed the moment would end soon.

Naya eventually pulled away and stepped back. She was still beaming, her brown eyes bright with joy and Nash forced a smile. Even though no one had ever cared about his achievements, Naya always had.

"You must be so proud of yourself," Naya said. "Because I am."

"I guess." Nash shrugged. "But I'm only second. I want to be first."

"Second is impressive. Don't throw your achievements aside." Naya frowned. "And I know you. You always get what you want. You will become first eventually."

Nash sighed at her words, wondering if they were true. His parents had always made sure he got everything he wanted. If he asked for anything, he would get it in a heartbeat. But yet, it had never been enough. It wasn't the same either because the things his parents gave him weren't the things he earned, which was why he needed to be more. He needed to be the first Elite.

"I hope so," Nash said. "I guess I have to wait and see how this year goes. I just have to beat Chloe."

"You will, sir. I believe in you."

"Please don't call me that."

Nash groaned, but he fought back the smile that threatened to bloom upon his face. Despite everything, Nash welcomed Naya's presence and their small chats that occurred occasionally in their kitchen. Without her, he'd be all alone, so it was nice to have someone he could be sure would be there for him every day, even if it made him uneasy that she was only there because of his parents.